tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post4051796817687327439..comments2024-03-20T08:37:50.011+00:00Comments on Bullying of Academics in Higher Education: Defending CollegialityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-21831020362609721882009-05-16T04:04:00.000+00:002009-05-16T04:04:00.000+00:00Fantastic reading.
I'm a survivor of academic bul...Fantastic reading.<br /><br />I'm a survivor of academic bullying -- or at least, the overt aggressive behavior has stopped for now. Some passive behavior lingers. For example, I'm still not asked to serve on graduate committees in my discipline. But, slowly that is changing. <br /><br />The instigator is now <I>persona non grata</I> in the department -- his 3-year campaign against me backfired. Through it all, however, he con't to receive some of the highest merit raises, based entirely on his research, teaching, & service, even though collegiality is to be a factor. I'm told that the highest levels of the university's administration are aware that he is a problem. <br /><br />Over the past years, I've occasionally read about bullying. I realize that I must write [anonymously] about my experiences. If I had to re-live those years, I would certainly do it differently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-75337985609858117122009-05-04T19:27:00.000+00:002009-05-04T19:27:00.000+00:00Unfairly Dismissed Researcher, Anon. 22 April, 200...Unfairly Dismissed Researcher, Anon. 22 April, 2009 - Bullied blogger<br /><br />Why avoid making waves? I say do as much damage as you can! As for Human Resources, I must say that at the Russell Group University I where I worked, HR were very helpful initially. At my exit interview they encouraged me to make a formal complaint. Perhaps they were being helpful. Perhaps the HR officer was pursuing a private political agenda. Perhaps they were well-intentioned but it backfired on them when it came to the threat of a tribunal and the University offered me a settlement subject to a gagging clause. Subsequently HR connived with my lying managers and produced an inaccurate set of minutes for a meeting with them at which my union rep was present, which I refused to sign as accurate. However, it was Human Resources that took note of all my complaints, with none left out, and had them all investigated and reported back to me and ACAS. The subsequent whitewash was carried out by the investigating academic and the University's lawyers, not Human Resources. I was happy with the settlement and accepted it.<br /><br />Aphra BehnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-55248528464406720522009-05-04T17:33:00.000+00:002009-05-04T17:33:00.000+00:00And settle out of court!And settle out of court!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-78962463084786516712009-05-04T15:11:00.000+00:002009-05-04T15:11:00.000+00:00One reason this is allowed to continue is the fear...One reason this is allowed to continue is the fear of litigation. The bully can claim that any action taken to control his or her conduct is discrimination based on race, religion, or what not. There's bound to be a lawyer somewhere who'll take up that case, no matter how outlandish or absurd, and who could and will make it a messy affair for the institution in question.<br /><br />Since academic institutions are afraid of any negative publicity, it's likely cheaper to avoid a lawsuit and let that same bully carry on with no reprisals whatsoever.<br /><br />Isn't political correctness wonderful?<br /><br />El CidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-17482341912465730492009-05-04T10:44:00.000+00:002009-05-04T10:44:00.000+00:00Thanks - articles such as this make an important c...Thanks - articles such as this make an important contribution to the debates - I shall read it in more depth when I have dealt with the latest incident.<br /><br />If the situation at my university were not so serious...<br /><br />... the incidents are taking on the form of a black comedy.... indeed a farce... which is starting to feel so surreal...<br /><br />BUT...<br /><br />I am mindful of the bullied blogger (THE) ...<br /><br />... like her situation<br /><br />...my situation is deadly serious...<br /><br />At times it almost kills me.<br /><br />I have to dig very very deep.<br /><br />Aphra BehnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com